Monday, 15 October 2007

The graphs post, in which VC pretends to understand statistics

First, here is the full list of results returned in the Knitting Speeds Straw Poll:

Name

Stitches per minute (SPM)

NBM

3, with lots of hand-holding (but she is a complete beginner, so well done NBM!)

lauren

25

Working Mom Knits

27

the vicious chicken

29

Trashalou

29

Melissa

32

Studio Christine

32

Zoebert

32

Jesi

35

Monkee Maker

average 38

Random Reflections

42

Viv

54

Sylv

approx. 432

(I hope you like that table, becasue it took a heck of a long time to do, I can tell you. I know it's still a bit odd-looking - that's cos I don't really know what I'm doing.)

From the above results, we can observe the following:

The median (middle speed when listed in ascending order) is 32 SPMThe mode (most frequently-occuring speed) is 32 SPM The mean (numerical average) is 62 SPM including Sylv, or 31.5 SPM excluding her (sorry, Sylv, but your score was heavily approximated by Trashalou...)

Thus, 32 SPM seems quite consistently to be our average knitting speed. If, like me, you are slower than that, don't feel bad: remember that the KSSP is not a competition. Perhaps we can say that our knitting philosophy is one of, "we get to the destination eventually, we just take longer to enjoy the journey". Or something.

And now, for the visually-minded amongst you: the graphs!! [NB: I think they might technically be charts, but if so, please don't point out my ignorance too vociferously...]

Firstly, a bar chart showing the spread of SPM counts (sorry it's kinda small, but I think you can click on it to see a giant version):

And here is a pie chart depicting the percentage distribution of each SPM range:

Ain't these pretty? And weren't they truly worth waiting for? You betcha by golly wow.

But they were quite hard work (and, I suspect, the product of a woefully poor grasp of how to use charts appropriately) so I don't think I'll be doing any more.

Also I feel really geeky now, so I think I'd better draw this post to a close. With quite a heavy line drawn under it.

(Incidentally, if anyone can think of a genuinely useful purpose for any of this, do let me know; I'd be most grateful. But I won't hold my breath.)

hold the page!!!!!!the BEST use for all this graph and pie malarky is so very clear.....My other half who thinks i spend waaaaaaaaay too much time blogging, happened to poke his snouty nose over my shoulder, glanced at the very technical and impressive graphs that you have lovingly produced, and declared that i was at last looking at the internet to further my knowledge etc etc.

now THOSE are some very superior, extremely official looking, deeply impressive graphs! those were WELLLLLL worth the time & effort. (but then...it was not MY time & effort...so it's kinda easy for me to say!) :)

in the vernacular of my people, i would have to say, "those are some KICK-ASS graphs"...at least that's what i *would* say if it wasn't awfully vulgar & american & totally letting down the tone of an otherwise grown-up and statistically inspiring post!

ps: a big hurrah and thank you to NBM for having a go! now see, THAT is true love for ya!!! (awwwww!)